Pilot Debrief

MD HELICOPTER INC 369E near Atlanta, GA — 2009-01-20

Final reportERA09CA138
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Date
2009-01-20
Location
Atlanta, GA, USA
Airport
ATL
Aircraft
MD HELICOPTER INC 369E
Registration
N369PD
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

Wind gusts during engine shutdown, which resulted in the main rotor blades contacting the tailboom.

NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot was informed before landing about the wind direction and velocity (330 degrees at 18 knots with gusts to 28 knots). After an uneventful landing he began shutdown of the helicopter. He applied down collective and friction, and following a 2-minute cooldown period for the engine he closed the throttle and guarded the cyclic control. When the main rotor was at 200 rpm, he felt a wind gust from the right side of the helicopter and then heard a loud sound. He applied the rotor brake and exited the helicopter after the main rotor blades stopped. At that time he noted damage to the main rotor blades and also to the tailboom.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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